I think it's a matter of personal preference. My garden does not have any groupings of like plants but it is planned chaos. I try to put together groupings of plants that will look nice together by texture and color. That doesn't mean that there aren't several of the same plants within the garden. They are just spread out. Grouping like plants together gives the garden impact by groups. My style of gardening gives multiple colors all over the place. It's your garden so you can experiment and change it again if you don't like the looks of something you try. It should only be done to YOUR liking not anyone else's.

Have fun,
MeMo

I agree with memo. I tend to plant where I had space. As long as the beds are full and flowering, I'm happy. I do plant according to sun/shade and moisture conditions, but I plant big stuff right on the edge and smaller stuff in the middle sometimes. I pay more attention to variation in the garden rather than trying to make it all perfect and organized. I like it when something different happens because of chance bloom colors or plant sizes. Scattering seeds gives you a lot of variation too, without necessarily planning everything.

Jo, I am into wildflower gardening just like you. To tame the look simply border them plantings with a small hedge.

Or if you need inspirations look up Chicago's Millenium Garden, New Yorks the Battery Park, Piet Oudolf, New Wave Gardening.. etc.. all based on wildflower gardening. Good luck.

I think the key point here is your statement that you love the wild look. It is your garden. Never mind how someone else might do it.

Sounds to me that what you have is a wildflower meadow. Even if it is just a gardenbed size. It does sound lovely. You might consider adding some grasses, just make sure they are not too tall and overwhelm your plants. Most wildfower seed mixes have grasses in them.

Instead of trying to change it, I would simply keep adding to it by sowing more seeds. Maybe adding annuals like poppies, snapdragons and cosmos.

You really could have spring bulbs also. If you put in daffoldils, you wouldn't have to dig them up like the tulips. Actually you could plant your tulips deep and not dig them either and just let them decline after afew years.

Your wild bed sounds lovely. Why did you think you needed to dig up your tulips every year? I never dig mine up. They last for several years and then when they decline I just plant more. As long as you let the green leaves stay until they turn yellow to feed the next year's bulb they should be fine. I think you are even a zone higher than I am! A wild meadow is wonderful too. I think you should do whatever pleases you!

Thanks to everyone for their insight and ideas.
NYRita, I was actually thinking of just tossing in more seeds (I have quite a stash) and also buying some plants. I have so many volunteer plants, so I guess the beds will fill up quickly.
I'm so glad it's spring again. I was out there 8 hours today!
Thanks again. I'll post some photos when things are blooming.
Jo

I bet it is really, really pretty as soon as things start blooming. One of the reasons I suggested the annuals like zinnias and cosmos is that they just bloom all summer long. Snapdragons are nice too and they come in so many colors these days. Just bloom all summer.